Multi-mode handheld apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi-mode handset apparatus may incorporate a radio element that is operative in accordance with a plurality of communication standards. A coexistence engine may arbitrate access to resources of the radio element by media access controllers and baseband components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/823,191, filed Aug. 22, 2006,entitled “4G HANDHELD INITIATIVES”, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to handset apparatusfor use in communication systems, and more particularly to a multi-modewireless handheld apparatus incorporating a radio component operative inaccordance with a plurality of communication standards.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (or“WiMAX”) communication standard, as promoted by the Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and defined by the IEEE802.16 specification, has emerged as a potential replacement or overlayfor traditional cellular wireless service. As is known in the art, theIEEE 802.11 standard (generally known as Wireless Fidelity, or “WiFi”)may support Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for handheld apparatusand other wireless devices. It is expected that future consumer andindustry demand will require that wireless devices be capable ofoperating in more than one mode, e.g., WiFi and WiMAX or WiFi andcellular. Conventional implementations generally require multipletransceivers, each of which is operative to support a specificcommunication standard. Interaction between multiple radio elements in asingle device, however, can create interference and other deleteriouseffects that limit the utility of the device, its useful range, orbooth; inter-radio interference is especially problematic whereindividual receivers, transmitters, or both are manufacturedindependently (e.g., on different chips) and perhaps by differentmanufacturers. Additionally, current technology generally does notpermit implementation of a WiFi transceiver in WiMAX mode, for example,and vice-versa. While these communication standards, or modes, aresimilar, sufficient differences exist to limit the ability of onetransceiver which is dedicated to operate in one particular mode (e.g.,WiFi) from operating in the other mode (e.g., WiMAX).

Similarities between the WiFi and WiMAX standards generally includebasebands and overall bandwidth requirements, media access control (MAC)elements, channel size and spacing, as well as hardware components andprotocol stacks which support various operational characteristics; forexample, both modes represent multi-in, multi-out (MIMO) technologies.Despite the similarities between WiFi and WiMAX implementations,conventional devices that have been constructed to operate in both modeshave nevertheless not taken advantage of these similarities, andcontinue to rely upon multiple transceivers which typically interfere.Further, while it may be desirable in some situations to allow anapparatus to share resources such as memory between a WiFi transceiverand a WiMAX transceiver, conventional implementations have failed to doso efficiently.

Hence, it may be desirable to provide a multi-mode wireless handheldapparatus incorporating a multi-mode wireless radio that can operate inaccordance with various communication standards interchangeably.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention overcome the above-mentioned andvarious other shortcomings of conventional technology, providing amulti-mode wireless handheld apparatus incorporating a radio elementoperative in accordance with a plurality of communication standards. Inaccordance with one aspect of the invention, a coexistence enginearbitrates resources of the radio element.

The foregoing and other aspects of various embodiments of the presentinvention will be apparent through examination of the following detaileddescription thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of oneembodiment of a multi-mode wireless handheld apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of anotherembodiment of a multi-mode wireless handheld apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating architecturalimplementation details of one embodiment of a multi-mode wirelesshandheld apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a single media accesscontroller connection to a coexistence engine.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating general operation ofone embodiment of a method of controlling a multi-mode wireless handheldapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

Turning now to the drawing figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 are simplified blockdiagrams illustrating components of embodiments of a multi-mode wirelesshandheld apparatus. In one embodiment, the various components of FIG. 1,with the exception of a radio element (i.e., radio frequency (RF)component, reference numeral 199), may be associated with orincorporated into a single chip or integrated circuit as indicated bythe dashed box. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, RFcomponent 199 may be associated with or integrated into the same chip asthe other components.

As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a multi-mode wireless handheld apparatus100 may generally comprise a data storage component or memory 110, oneor more computational components or data processors (reference numeral120), and various media access controller (MAC) and baseband (BB)elements as indicated at reference numerals 170A-170N. Apparatus 100 mayengage in wireless communications via RF component 199, under control ofMAC/BB elements 170A-170N through a radio interface (I/F) 150, as setforth in detail below.

Though illustrated as a single component for clarity, memory 110 may beembodied in or comprise any number of various hardware elementsoperative to store data useful for enabling or facilitating wirelesscommunications. Memory 110 may include, for example, volatile ornon-volatile data storage components such as random access memory (RAM)elements, read-only memory (ROM) elements, magnetic or optical diskdrives, flash memory, or a combination of these and other componentsgenerally configured and operative to store digital data.

Data processing element 120 may be embodied in or comprise one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers(PLCs), field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), or a combination of these and otherhardware elements capable of executing instruction sets having utilityin wireless voice or data communications. In that regard, dataprocessing element 120 may access data stored in memory 110 and executeinstruction sets to enable or facilitate wireless communicationsfunctionality for apparatus 100. In operation, data processing element120 may control or influence the functionality or operationalcharacteristics of MAC/BB elements 170A-170N, a coexistence engine orlogic (reference numeral 180) described below, RF component 199, andvarious other components of apparatus 100.

It will be appreciated that the particular implementation orarchitectural details of data processing element 120 may be applicationspecific and may depend, for example, upon desired operationalcharacteristics of apparatus 100, processing specifications associatedwith various communications protocols, bandwidth or data throughputrequirements, cost considerations, or a combination of these and otherfactors. In some embodiments, it may be desirable that data processingelement 120 comprise two microprocessors alternatively, onemicroprocessor or microcontroller may be dedicated for use inconjunction with a respective MAC/BB element 170A-170N. In some suchdistributed processing embodiments, it may be desirable to include anadditional processor to facilitate interaction between the MAC-dedicatedprocessors and various software layers or other elements of protocolstacks. As data processing technologies and communications standardscontinue to advance, it may be desirable and cost-effective to implementdata processing element 120 as a single multi-threading microprocessoror data processing engine.

MAC/BB elements 170A-170N may enable apparatus 100 to communicate inaccordance with various wireless communications standards. In theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, for instance, MAC/BB element170A may be configured and operative to allow RF component 199 tocommunicate on a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as a networkimplementing one or more aspects of the IEEE 802.11 standard (i.e. aWireless Fidelity, or “WiFi” network). In contrast, MAC/BB element 170Bmay be configured and operative to allow RF component 199 to communicateon a network employing one or more aspects of the WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (or “WiMAX”) communicationstandard (i.e., IEEE 802.16).

Any number of other MAC/BB elements 170N may be incorporated intoapparatus 100, depending upon, among other factors, a desire orrequirement that apparatus 100 be compatible with a particularcommunication standard or protocol, the computational capabilities ofdata processing element 120, the overall functionality of RF component199, hardware or integrated circuit manufacturing techniques, andassociated costs. For example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3includes a MAC and a baseband element that may allow apparatus 100 tocommunicate via the Bluetooth (TM) standard; additionally, the FIG. 3architecture may allow apparatus 100 to receive global positioningsystem (GPS) data. In some embodiments of apparatus 100 employingcellular technology, MAC/BB element 170N may be embodied in or comprisea cellular modem for wireless cellular voice and data communications.The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particulararchitectural arrangement of MAC/BB elements 170A-170N or to anyspecific MAC and baseband combination associated with a particularcommunications standard or protocol. For instance, in addition to thevarious standards set forth above, MAC/BB element 170N may be operativein accordance with any of various communications technologies including,but not limited to: frequency modulation (FM) radio; Global System forMobile Communications (GSM); Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE);General Packet Radio Service IGPRS); Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS); High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA); High SpeedUplink Packet Access (HSUPA); Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA);Wideband CDMA; Evolution Data Optimized (EvDO); and Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA).

As set forth in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4,coexistence engine 180 may generally control or otherwise influenceoperation of the various MAC/BB elements 170A-170N, either independentlyor in cooperation with data processing element 120; in that regard,coexistence engine 180 may act as an arbitrator with respect to accessto RF component 199, i.e., via radio I/F 150. In some embodiments,coexistence engine 180 may take into account requirements, requests orpredictions (or a combination of these) associated with one or more ofMAC/BB elements 170A-170N when allocating physical resources and accessto RF component 199. For example, where WiMAX MAC/BB element 170B iscurrently handling a quality of service (QoS) packet with a relativelyhigh priority and WLAN MAC/BB element 170A is handling a QoS packethaving a relatively lower priority, then coexistence engine 180 mayarbitrate in accordance with a predetermined QoS metric and thusdetermine which of MAC/BB elements 170A or 170B should be allocatedimmediate access.

Coexistence engine 180 may be implemented in hardware for example, as amicroprocessor, PLC, or other hardware logic component. Alternatively,coexistence engine 180 may be implemented in software as a virtual logiccomponent; in this instance, data processing element 120 may executeinstruction sets operative to arbitrate hardware resources as necessaryor desired to allow apparatus 100 to communicate via RF component 199 inaccordance with a selected one of a plurality of communicationsstandards.

RF component 199 may be embodied in or comprise a radio transceiverenabling wireless voice and data communications. As illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2, RF component 199 may be configured to support two send and tworeceive (2×2) WiFi chains, as well as one send and two receive (1×2)WiMAX chains. In other embodiments, RF component 199 may also support2×2 WiMAX communications. Additionally or alternatively, apparatus 100may include multiple independent transceivers (e.g., each of which maybe configured to operate in accordance with a particular communicationprotocol or standard) to supplement or to replace the illustrated RFcomponent 199. In some implementations, operational characteristics ofsuch independent transceivers, as well as access to the resources ofeach transceiver by other components of apparatus 100, may becontrolled, regulated, or otherwise influenced by coexistence engine 180substantially as set forth below. Based on the disclosure and teachingsprovided herein, it will be appreciated that the structure and operationof numerous embodiments of RF component 199 are generally wellunderstood, and may be application specific, depending upon the type andnature of the communications standards employed by the various othercomponents of apparatus 100.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that apparatus 100 may alsocomprise or incorporate, among other things, an analog to digital (A/D)converter 130, a digital to analog (D/A) converter 140, radio I/F 150,and one or more phase-locked loops 160. The general operation of thesecomponents and their respective utilities in wireless handsetapplications are well understood.

It will be appreciated that baseband and MAC components that are tightlycoupled (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) contribute efficiencies to theoverall architecture of apparatus 100 as well as to the performance andquality of voice and data communications. Additionally, since memory110, RF component 199, radio I/F 150, and other hardware components maybe shared among the various MAC/BB elements 170A-170N, overall size ofthe integrated circuitry incorporated into apparatus 100 may be reduced,e.g., as compared to the overall circuit real estate required ifmultiple independent radios and memories were employed.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate, by way of example, interconnection andinteroperability between a coexistence engine 180 and a MAC. In thatregard, FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating architecturalimplementation details of one embodiment of a multi-mode wirelesshandheld apparatus. FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating asingle media access controller connection to a coexistence engine.

FIG. 3, illustrates one strategy for coupling various wireless radiosystems to coexistence engine 180. As set forth above with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, any number of additional MAC/BB systems may be coupledto, or interoperate with, coexistence engine 180 in a manner similar tothat depicted in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, MAC element 301,BB radio component 311, and their associated transmitter and receiver(reference numerals 321 and 322, respectively) support WLAN or WiFicommunications. Similarly,, MAC element 302, BB radio component 312, andtheir associated transmitter and receiver (reference numerals 323 and324, respectively) support WiMAX communications, whereas MAC element303, BB radio component 313, and their associated transmitter andreceiver (reference numerals 325 and 326, respectively) supportBluetooth(TM) communications. Finally, a GPS processor 331, correlator332, and receiver 333 enable reception and processing of globalpositioning information related to the location of apparatus 100incorporating the hardware components indicated in FIG. 3.

In operation, each respective MAC element 301-303 may deliver predictivedata or other relevant information associated with the state or use ofits respective baseband radio component 311-313 to coexistence engine180; similarly, GPS processor 331 may provide predictive data or otherrelevant information associated with use of receiver 333. In the eventof conflicting requests for access to resources, coexistence engine 180may execute arbitration processing operations to determine efficient orotherwise appropriate allocation of such resources. In that regard,coexistence engine 180 may implement any number of various arbitrationalgorithms (e.g., employing priority assignments, QoS metrics, pasthistory, expected future bandwidth requirements or limitations, and thelike), either independently or in cooperation with data processingelement 120, to allocate access to RF component 199 in accordance with apredetermined or dynamically adjusted rule set.

When a particular MAC and its associated BB are assigned (i.e., bycoexistence engine 180) priority to access RF component 199 as set forthabove, their associated transmitter and receiver components may gainaccess to radio resources through interaction with radio I/F 150illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Although coexistence engine 180 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as coupleddirectly to MAC elements 301-303 and GPS processor 331 vat an interface399), coexistence engine 180 may, additionally or alternatively, becoupled indirectly to these or other components, for example, viaconnection through external RF elements (such as switches) facilitatedby appropriate enable signals. The simplified generic architectureillustrated in FIG. 3 is provided for clarity and by way of example onlythe present disclosure is not intended to be limited to implementationsemploying a direct connection or interface 399 between a MAC element andcoexistence engine 180.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified single MAC connection to coexistenceengine 180. As noted above, any number of additional MAC components maybe coupled to coexistence engine 180 in a manner similar to thatdepicted in FIG. 4; connections to additional MAC components arerepresented by the arrow labeled “Other MAC Predictors” on the left sideof FIG. 4.

Computation core 189 may execute, enable, or otherwise facilitate thearbitration functionality of coexistence engine 180. In the illustratedembodiment, core 189 may receive data or information associated with aBB channel indicator 411, as well as predictive transmission data 412and predictive reception data 413 from the MAC.

FIG. 4 illustrates, by way of example, a combinatorial logicimplementation running at core 189. In particular, BB channel indicatordata received from the MAC may be employed as arguments or variables ina mathematical function, and a result (OUT1) may be determined;alternatively, OUT1 may simply represent the BB channel. Similarly,predictive transmission data and predictive reception data may beemployed as arguments or variables in a different mathematical functionor algorithm, and a different result (OUT2) may be determined; given thelogic implemented by core 189 in the FIG. 4 example, OUT2 simplyrepresents the longer of two time durations. The foregoing results(i.e., OUT1 and OUT2) may be employed as arguments or variables in yet adifferent mathematical function or algorithm, the result of which (OUT)may be compared to values in a look up table (LUT), for example, todetermine an appropriate manner in which to allocate resources.Following such a comparison or equivalent processing operations, core189 may output a signal (“BB CTL” in FIG. 4) suitable to providenecessary or desired instructions to control operation of the BB radioand MAC element. For example, if a competing MAC and BB have priority,the output signal BB CTL may limit or otherwise regulate access to radioresources or restrict access to RF component 199 for other components.As an alternative to the foregoing combinatorial logic, core 189 mayemploy a clocked engine which may be better suited to implement logic orto execute simple firmware instruction sets more efficiently.

In some embodiments, the signal BB CTL may be a specific control signaltransmitted to the specific MAC/BB block (such as, for example, 170A inFIGS. 1 and 2, which represents a combination of blocks 301 and 311 inFIG. 3) being controlled by coexistence engine 180. Accordingly, theillustrated architecture may be combined with additional similar logicalblocks (e.g., each controlling a respective MAC/BB combination) to forma distributed logic block effectively to arbitrate an entire system'sradio coexistence. In alternative embodiments employing moresophisticated logic or data processing strategies, a single core 189 maybe implemented to control operation of multiple MAC/BB combinations byaddressing a control signal (such as BB CTL) to a particularcombination, for instance, or by broadcasting a single signal to everyMAC/BB combination in the system.

In order to improve coexistence performance, it may be desirable toimplement standard RF filtering techniques, for example, to controlradio emissions noise resulting from the transmitter and receiver blocksillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4; additionally or alternatively, filteringstrategies may be employed to restrict the out of band interferersaccepted by the receiver blocks. Further, those of skill in the art willappreciate that other deleterious effects such as spurious tones andvarious other interfering signals may be minimized or eliminated usingappropriately targeted filtering techniques.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating general operation ofone embodiment of a method of controlling a multi-mode wireless handheldapparatus. In some implementations, the method depicted in FIG. 5 may beexecuted by the hardware elements described above.

A method of controlling a multi-mode wireless handheld apparatus maybegin by receiving baseband channel information or data (block 501) andpredictive data (block 502). As set forth above, such predictive datamay be associated with expected, anticipated, or predicted requirementsof a baseband element coupled to a media access controller. It will beappreciated that the operations depicted at blocks 501 and 502 may bereversed (i.e., the receiving process at block 502 may precede thereceiving process at block 501) or executed substantiallysimultaneously. Moreover, one or both of these operations may beexecuted iteratively, either with respect to a single MAC/BB element orwith respect to multiple MAC/BB elements. In some embodiments, forexample, the receiving operations depicted at blocks 501 and 502 may beexecuted with respect to each of a plurality of MAC/BB combinationssequentially; when appropriate data from the last MAC/BB combination inthe sequence are received, processing may return to the beginning of thesequence.

Responsive at least in part to the data received at blocks 501 and 502,arbitration processing may be executed as indicated at block 503. As setforth above, a coexistence engine implementing appropriate logic orcomputer executable instructions may determine which of a plurality ofMAC/BB combinations may access a transceiver to engage in voice or datacommunications. In some embodiments, this arbitration processing may bedistributed logically (e.g., an independent logical block may beresponsible for controlling a respective MAC/BB combination). As setforth above with reference to FIG. 4, QoS metrics, priority assignments,and other factors (such as time of day and past history of resourceusage) may be taken into consideration. Various arbitration algorithmsand resource allocation strategies may be employed.

Control signals may be sent to the various MAC/BB combinations asindicated at block 504, and the MAC with priority may be provided withaccess to the transceiver as indicated at block 505, while other MAC/BBelements may be shut down or instructed to stand-by, for example, andmay accordingly be apprised of the status of a queue. As indicated atblock 506, the transceiver may operate in accordance with thecommunications standard dictated by the MAC/BB combination that hascurrent access.

Several features and aspects of the present invention have beenillustrated and described in detail with reference to particularembodiments by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Thoseof skill in the art will appreciate that alternative implementations andvarious modifications to the disclosed embodiments are within the scopeand contemplation of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention be considered as limited only by the scope of theappended claims.

1. A multi-mode wireless handheld apparatus comprising: a transceiver; afirst media access controller operative in accordance with a firstcommunications standard; a second media access controller operative inaccordance with a second communications standard; and a coexistenceengine to arbitrate access to said transceiver by said first mediaaccess controller and said second media access controller to allow saidtransceiver to operate in accordance with the first and secondcommunications standards.
 2. The multi-mode apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid coexistence engine arbitrates access to said transceiver usingbaseband channel information and predictive data received from at leastone of said first media access controller and said second media accesscontroller.
 3. The multi-mode apparatus of claim 2 wherein thepredictive data are representative of transmission and receptionrequirements provided by at least one of said first media accesscontroller and said second media access controller.
 4. The multi-modeapparatus of claim 2 wherein said coexistence engine employscombinatorial logic to arbitrate access to said transceiver.
 5. Themulti-mode apparatus of claim 2 wherein said coexistence engine employsa clocked processing engine to arbitrate access to said transceiver. 6.The multi-mode apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third mediaaccess controller operative in accordance with a third communicationsstandard, and wherein said coexistence engine arbitrates access to saidtransceiver by said first, second, and third media access controllers toallow said transceiver to operate in accordance with the first, second,and third communications standards.
 7. The multi-mode apparatus of claim1 wherein said first media access controller is operative in accordancewith the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) standard.
 8. The multi-mode apparatusof claim 7 wherein said second media access controller is operative inaccordance with the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX) standard.
 9. The multi-mode apparatus of claim 6 wherein saidthird media access controller is operative in accordance with a cellularcommunications standard.
 10. The multi-mode apparatus of claim 6 whereinsaid third media access controller is operative in accordance with aBluetooth communications standard.
 11. A multi-rode wireless handheldapparatus comprising: a transceiver; a first media access controlleroperative in accordance with a first communications standard; a secondmedia access controller operative in accordance with a secondcommunications standard; and arbitration means for arbitrating access tosaid transceiver to allow said transceiver to operate in accordance withthe first and second communications standards.
 12. The multi-modeapparatus of claim 11 wherein said arbitration means arbitrates accessto said transceiver using baseband channel information and predictivedata received from at least one of said first media access controllerand said second media access controller.
 13. The multi-mode apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein the predictive data are representative of transmissionand reception requirements provided by at least one of said first mediaaccess controller and said second media access controller.
 14. Themulti-mode apparatus of claim 12 wherein said arbitration means employscombinatorial logic to arbitrate access to said transceiver.
 15. Themulti-mode apparatus of claim 12 wherein said arbitration means employsa clocked processing engine to arbitrate access to said transceiver. 16.The multi-mode apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a third mediaaccess controller operative in accordance with a third communicationsstandard, and wherein said arbitration means arbitrates access to saidtransceiver by said first, second, and third media access controllers toallow said transceiver to operate in accordance with the first, second,and third communications standards.
 17. The multi-mode apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein said first media access controller is operative inaccordance with the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) standard.
 18. Themulti-mode apparatus of claim 17 wherein said second media accesscontroller is operative in accordance with the Worldwideinteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standard.
 19. Themulti-mode apparatus of claim 16 wherein said third media accesscontroller is operative in accordance with a cellular communicationsstandard.
 20. The multi-mode apparatus of claim 16 wherein said thirdmedia access controller is operative in accordance with a Bluetoothcommunications standard.
 21. A method of communication using a wirelesshandheld apparatus; said method comprising. receiving baseband channelinformation and predictive data from at least one of a plurality ofmedia access controllers; responsive to said receiving, arbitratingaccess, by each of the plurality of media access controllers, to atransceiver; controlling operation of each of the plurality of mediaaccess controllers; and operating the transceiver in accordance with oneof a plurality of communications standards responsive to saidarbitrating and said controlling.
 22. The method of claim 21 whereinsaid receiving comprises receiving baseband channel information andpredictive data from each of the plurality of media access controllers.23. The method of claim 21 wherein the predictive data arerepresentative of transmission and reception requirements received fromat least one of the plurality of media access controllers.
 24. Themethod of claim 21 wherein said arbitrating comprises employingcombinatorial logic to arbitrate access to the transceiver.
 25. Themethod of claim 21 wherein said arbitrating comprises employing aclocked processing engine to arbitrate access to the transceiver. 26.The method of claim 22 wherein said arbitrating is executed inaccordance with a quality of service metric.
 27. The method of claim 26wherein said arbitrating comprises assigning priorities to ones of theplurality of media access controllers.
 28. The method of claim 21wherein said operating comprises utilizing the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)standard.
 29. The method of claim 21 wherein said operating comprisesutilizing the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)standard.
 30. The method of claim 21 wherein said operating comprisesutilizing a cellular communications standard.
 31. The method of claim 21wherein said operating comprises utilizing a Bluetooth communicationsstandard.